When Walik was a baby, he was taken away by his aunt following an incident between her and his mom. “I was kind of kidnapped and forced to live with my aunt. When I was 16 or 17, I had to emancipate myself to go back to my mom,” he explains.
After moving around in several states, he moved to Pennsylvania on his own to get his life going. “I decided to do everything on my own, with my mom encouraging me to keep moving forward and not give up,” Walik shares.
“Homelessness became a big struggle because I was out here without my mom or dad.” That’s when he came to the Allentown Rescue Mission and joined our Transformation Program.
Reflecting on his arrival, Walik says, “It was kind of a big change for me because I had to adapt to the program. It was fast paced. It helped change the way I view being here.” The program also helped him envision the life he wanted. “It gave me time to learn how to start over.”
Although Walik has always believed in Jesus, being here has helped strengthen his faith.
“Allentown Rescue Mission has helped me to know God and how I can live in society with faith.”
Today, Walik works in the clothing room and pantry, assisting men who are transitioning from the Emergency Shelter to our eight-week Transformation Program for residents, which has benefited him, too. “Knowing how the program works and helping others in it has helped my progress,” he shares.
He is thankful to the Allentown Rescue Mission for setting him up for success, the resources provided including clothes and a job and connections he has made with men here. “I can apply what I have learned when I’m out in society,” Walik says.
He plans to get his GED and find a place of his own.
This holiday, Walik is experiencing all the joy this season has to offer – because YOU believed in the power of a fresh start and shared a life-changing gift! “The Allentown Rescue Mission helped me reprogram myself. I have greater self-worth.”
